This morning I am reflecting on our capacity to say "Yes". As the Pandemic turns from 'fading out' to resurgence, with the Delta variant rapidly spreading, those who have refused vaccination put not only themselves at great risk, but also contribute to greater risk for children and the immune compromised. And with rising cases, potentially even more threatening mutations can emerge. The right to say 'yes' or 'no' continues as a political debate with serious consequences.
This Sunday though, consider a larger spiritual perspective on yes and no. To say "yes" to something automatically brings with it a "no" to something else--an aspect of duality or the opposites inherent in the world. Developmentally, infants first individuate by learning to say no; refusal is the beginning of separation and autonomy. Some people struggle with autonomy their whole life, but over time, most of us mature and learn the joy inherent in "yes", while maintaining our ability to say "no". Yes and no are relevant spiritually when it comes to our choices in the world. As Lao Tzu says in The Tao te Ching (No. 38, Witter Bynner trans.)
..."False teachers of life use flowery words
And start nonsense.
The man of stamina stays with the root
Below the tapering,
Stays with the fruit
Beyond the flowering:
He has his no and he has his yes."
When we enter the spiritual life, we have our 'no' to distractions and conflicts that confuse or undermine our spiritual intent. We have our 'yes' to spiritual practice and guidance. Eventually though, the spiritual life is not about autonomy, it is about surrender. As the great statesman Dag Hammarskjöld put it: “I don't know Who — or what — put the question, I don't know when it was put. I don't even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone — or Something — and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life, in self-surrender, had a goal.”
I personally had such an experience after many early spiritual experiences -- choice points and turning points; some were times of clarity and some were times of struggle, but this one clearly stands out as the moment Hammarskjöld describes. It was an overwhelming energy entering my heart as a question. It was not a question I can articulate, but it was asking permission, and this time there was no doubt. My heart answered, "Yes."
Only after that "yes", can we move pass the autonomous "no", and say as Hammarskjöld said:
“For all that has been, Thanks. To all that shall be, Yes.”